Lubricant pumping apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet l N. V. SMITH LUERIGANT PUMPING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1941 Aug. 29, 1944.

` Aug; 29, w44. N. ,v SMITH 2,357,030

, LUBRICANT PUMPING APPARATUS Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LUBRIOAN T PUMPING APPARATUS Neil V. Smith., Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Smith-Johnson' Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 14, 1941, Serial No. 388,407

17 Claims.

Lubricant pumps have been introduced for pumping the lubricant directly from the original lubricant containers and for discharging it under high pressure in the bearings and working parts of the Vehicles and machines. To meet thedemand for large volume discharge in such devices when handling heavy lubricants, or lighter lubricants at low temperature, it has been found necessary to employ the combination of a low pressure pump with a cylinder of large diameter and short stroke to draw in sufliciently large charges of lubricant from the container, andv a high pressure pump with a cylinder of small da'meter and large stroke for receiving the lubricant from the low pressure pump and discharging it at high pressure. A separate motor has been required for the operation of each pump. The two separate pumps and the two separate motors make such apparatus expensive and bulky.

An object of the present invention is to pro-` vide a lubricant pumping apparatus for pumping lubricant from an original container and for discharging it under high pressures which embodies a low pressure pump of large cylinder diameter and relatively short stroke for the ready handling of heavy lubricants and lighter Ylubricants at low temperatures, a high pressure pump of relatively small cylinder diameter and of longer stroke receiving the lubricant from the low pressure pump and discharging it under increased pressure, and a yielding connection between said pumps which permits the operation of the two pumps by a single or common motor, the yielding connectionallowing for the differ ential in strokes of the two pumps.

Another object of this invention is to pro-` vide a lubricant pumping apparatus of the character referred to in which the large diameter low pressure cylinder has a capacity inexcess of the capacity of the higher pressure cylinder to assure the complete charging of the latter when handling heavy lubricants and lubricants at low temperatures under such conditions that the lcw pressure cylinder is only partially lled on a sucv tion stroke. With this cylinder arrangement, the

yielding connection between the two pumps permits the operation of the two pumps by a single motor without stalling thefmotor when handling light'lubricants and lubricants at higher temperatures under such conditions that the low pressure cylinder is more completely filled. The

yielding connection embodied in the pump mechanism of the present invention provides for an automatic adjustment of the stroke of the low pressure pump as conditions may require, and permits the employment of a low pressure cylinder of larger capacity than the higher pressure cylinder to assure the full charging of the latter under all-conditions. When handling lighter lubricants andl lubricants at higher temperatures the above mentioned connection yields so that the stroke of the low pressure pump is shortened orreduced when its charge is n ex- .cess of the capacity of the higher pressure cyl-v inder, the extent of yielding of the saidconnection being in proportion to the amount of excess charge drawn into the low pressure pump.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a lubricant pump of the character referred to embodying a positive priming means or low pressure pump in direct communication With the lubricant container to receive the lubricant therefrom and operating to positively force full charges of the lubricant under pressure to a second higher pressure pump to assure a full charging of the latter at each stroke cycle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump of the character mentioned embodying a multiple stage pumping action with a single or common motor for operating a plurality of pumps or pump means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricant pump of the character mentioned embodying a yielding connection between two of the multi-stage pump `means with a novel spring means actuated by the common motor to produce full operation of the related pump means on each stroke of the motor.

Another object of -this invention is to provide a lubricant pump that is operable to pump out or evacuate substantially the entire contents of the lubricantdrum or container.` f

A further object! of the invention is to provide a. pump of the character referred to"Y Y embodying a follower plate in -the lubricant container for assuring the evacuation or pumping of the entire contentsof the container without the formation of air channels or air pockets in the lubricant around the pump column. y

The various objectsand features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a pumping apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal detailed View of the principal portion of the apparatus with the motor piston and motor valve means appearing in side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the upper portion of the apparatus showing the motor piston at the upper end of its movement and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the pump means showing the intermediate pressure pump plunger and low pressure pump means at the upper ends of their movements.

The pumping equipment of the present invention lmay be said to comprise, generally, means I for housing a lubricant container C and for supporting the pump mechanism, `an operating motor II in the upper portion of the means I3, valve means I2 '-for the motor II, shuttle means I3 for operating the valve means I2, high, intermediate and low pressure pump means I4, yI5 and I6 operated by the motor II for pumping lubricant :from the container C, and a follower plate -I1 movable downwardly in the container C to assure the removal or pumping or substantially fthe entire contents of the same.

The means I0 for housing and supporting the various 'other elements o'f the apparatus may be varied considerably to adapt the equipment for use with original lubricant containers of ldinerent sizes, shapes, etc., and to adapt the apparatus for given'uses. In the drawings the apparatus is shown associated with an upright, generally cylindrical drum or container C of substantial capacity. The supporting and housing means includes a vsuitable wheeled base I^8 carrying the container C and an upright shell I9 surrounding the container C with clearance and suitably connected with the base I8. A `top or cover is secured to Vthe upper end of the shell I9 yand extends upwardly and inwardly over the mouth of the container C to carry what I will call a dome 2I. The dome 2I `may be removably secured to the `cover II) by av flanged connection 22 and projects upwardly from the cover1 20 to carry and house the motor I'I and associated parts. A central opening 2-3 of substantial diameter is formed in the upper wall of the dome The motor II is provided `to operate the three stages of pumps, that is, the high, intermediate and low pressure pump means I4, I5 and I6, and in the preferred form of the invention the power means is in the form of an air motor of the cylinder and piston type. The cylinder 24 of the motor I I is a centrally located, vertically disposed member secured inthe dome -2I. An upwardly and inwardly tapered'or rounded head 25 extends upwardly from the top ofthe dome 2| and has a lower portion '26 extending through the opening 23 and threaded in the upper end of the cylinder 24. A flange '21 on the head 25 rests on the upper wall of the dome :ZI to support or suspend the cylinder 24 and the parts connected therewith. The interior of the head 25 is open to the cylinder 24 and a central vertical opening 28 is formed in the reduced upper end part of the head. The motor cylinder 24 has a lower head Yor wall 29 provided with an upstanding central boss 30. A socket 3I enters the boss 3D from its lower end and a reduced opening 32 continues from the socket 3l up through the top of the boss.

The piston 33 of the motor II is shaped or formed to move down over the boss 30 with suitable clearance and has a central socket 34 in its upper portion leading to a reduced opening 35 which continues to the top of the piston. An external annular flange 36 is provided on the piston 33 and a nut 31 is threaded on the lower portion of the piston to be spaced below the flange 36. The sealing member of the piston 33 has an annular bead 38 received between the flange 36 and the nut 31 and annular lips 39 which extend axially in opposite directions from the bead. The sealing element is formed of flexible resilient material and the lips 39 flare or diverge outwardly to have effective sealing contact with the wall of the cylinder 33. A metal clip 40 is provided on the bead 38 and is gripped and held between the opposing surfaces of the flange 36 and the nut 31. It will be observed that the cylinder 24 of the pump II may be of substantial diameter.

The valve means I2 is operable under the control of the shuttle means I3 to supply air under pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinder 24 and is such that the motor I I operates automatically and continuously so long as the lubricant discharge of the apparatus is open, the motor being such that it stalls and stops when the discharge is closed. The means I2 includes a valve housing or chest 4I preferably positioned at one side of the cylinder 24. In the construction illustrated the cylinder 24 has a thickened portion or flange 42 and the chest 4I and this flange 42 have flat opposing vertical surfaces. A hard wear resisting plate 43 is clamped between the opposing surfaces of the flange 42 and the chest 4I to present a smooth, long wearing surface at the interior of the chest. A pressure inlet portn44 enters the chest 4I and is supplied with air under pressure by a line or hose 45 equipped with an automatic coupler valve 46. An exhaust port 41 extends through the plate 43 and the flange 42 to discharge freely in the dome 2I. A port 48 is spaced below the exhaust port 41 and passes inwardly through the plate 43 and cylinder Wall to communicate with the lower end of the cylinder 24. A similar port 49 is provided in the plate 43 and cylinder wall to have its lower end communicate with the chest 4I at a point spaced above the exhaust port 41 and to have its upper end communicate with the upper portion of the cylinder 24.

The valve means I2 further includes a slide valve 50 of the D-type slidable or shiftable on the plate 43 between a position where it places the port 49 in communication with the exhaust port 41, while leaving the port 48 open to the interior of the chest 4I and the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, where the port 48 is connected with the exhaust port 41 and the port 49 has communication with the chest 4I. A reciprocable rod 5I slidably passes through a guide bushing 52 in the wall of the chest 4I and has a transverse opening 53 slidably receiving a stem 54 on the valve 5D. A spring 55 surrounds the stem 54 and is arranged under compression between the valve 50 and the rod 5I to maintain `the valve in correct sliding engagement with the plate 43. A bracket 56 is suitably attached to the valve chest 4I and has an opening 51 slidably passing the Valve rod 5I. Spring pressed packing 58 is provided on the bracket 56 to seal about the Valve rod I. The upper or inner portion of the valve rod 5| is tubular or socketed and is slidably guided in a socket 59 formed in the Wall of the chest 4|. A spring 60 is seated in the socket 59 and the u pper portion of the rod 5| to urge the rod and the valve 50 downwardly.

The shuttle means I3 is operated by the motor piston 33 to actuate or reverse the valve 50. The shuttle means I3 is preferably positioned immediately below the motor II to be operatively connected with an element of the pump mechanism which is turn is connected with the piston 33. In the construction illustrated this element is a tubular assembly comprising an upper tubular section 6| and a transfer tube 62. The section 6| has its upper end threaded in a nut 63 which in turn is threaded in the lower portion of the piston socket 34. The transfer tube 62 `is shown larger in diameter than the section 6| and is threaded with the lower end of the section 6|. The shuttle means I3 includes a guide and carrier 64 secured to the lower end of the cylinder 24. In the preferred. construction a tubular nut 65 is threaded in the socket 3| and has shouldered engagement 6 6 with the carrier 64 to secure the carrier tothe cylinder wall 29. A shuttle 61 shifts or reciprocates in the carrier 64. The shuttle 61 -is a tubular member surrounding the section 6| with ample clearance and slidably fitting the carrier 64 to be guided thereby. In accordance with the invention the shuttle 61 is operatively connected or associated with the valve rod 5| for the operation of the valve 50. An annular groove 68 is formed in the exterior of the shuttle 61 and a double lever 69 is secured to the bracket 56 by a pivot pin -10 and has a roller 1I on its outer end engaged in the groove 68. VThe outer arm of the lever 69 has a readily adjustable screw 12 engageable with the lower end of the valve rod 5|. A lock nut 13 is provided to secure the screw 12 in the adjusted positions.

The shuttle means I3 is a loaded spring snap action mechanism embodying spring means for causing sudden movement of the shuttle 61 at the end of. each stroke or movement of the `motor piston 33. An internal annular flange 14 is provided in the shuttle 61 and is cooperable with a coiled spring 15 surrounding the section 6I and resting on the upper end of the transfer tube 62. A similar spring 16 rests on the flange 14 and -is engageable by a collar 11 fixed` on the reciprocable section 6|. Two annular external grooves 18 are formed in the shuttle 61 and are spaced apart by what may be termed an annular ridge 19. Spring held detent elements cooperate with the grooves 18 and the separating ridge 19. Diametrically opposite radial openings 80 are formed in the wall of the carrier 64 and inwardly facing cups 8| are threaded in the openings 86. Balls 82 are shiftable in the cups 8| and are urged inwardly against the shuttle 61 by compression springs 83. The balls 82 cooperate with the grooves 18 to yieldingly hold the shuttle 61 in its upper and lower positions and retract by reason of the engagement Y of the ridge 19 with them when the shuttle shifts.

When the moto-r piston V1X3 is moving downwardly the balls 82 are in cooperation with the lower groove 18, as shown in Fig. 3. During the downward movement of the piston 33 the collar 11 comes into engagement with the spring 16 and when the piston 33 approaches the end of its downward stroke the spring 16 becomes fully compressed and positive downward movement is transmitted to the shuttle 61. W'hen this occurs the ridge 19 is forced past the spring urged balls 82 andthe shuttle 61 moves rapidly downward under the compressed spring 16 to reverse the valvev 50. The balls 82 are thus engaged in the upper groove 18 for the upward stroke of the piston 33. As the piston 33 moves upwardly the upper end of the spring 15 comes into engagement with the flange 14 and as the movement continues the spring 15 is compressed. When the spring 15 is fully compressed the shuttle 61 is positively moved upward so that the ridge 19 moves past the balls 82 and the shuttle is rapidly shifted to reverse the valve 50. The shuttle means described above operates to automatically reverse the valve 50 at the end of each movement of the motor piston 33 and is readily adjusted to produce the desired motor operation by means of the adjusting screw 12.

The high pressure pump means I4 receives a given or definite charge of lubricant under pressure from the intermediate pump means I5 during each down stroke of the piston 33 and discharges a like volume of lubricant under greatly lincreased pressure during yeach up stroke of the piston 33. The high pressure pump means I4 is at or within the motor II and, in the construction illustrated, comprises a stationary piston or ram 84 and a reciprocating cylinder. The upper portion of the longitudinal opening 85 in the section 6| is enlarged in diameter to constitute the cylinder 86 of the high pressure pump means I4 and the ram 84 is xed to the stationary head 25 to be received in this cylinder 86. reduced lower portion of the opening 28 and passes downwardly through the opening 35, the socket 36 and the nut 63 to enter the cylinder 86, The ram 84 is tubular having a central 1ongitud-inal opening 81 leading upwardly from the cylinder 86 to the opening 28. Packing 88, preferably of the chevron type, is seated in the socket 34 to seal about theram 84.' A spring 89 is Y arranged under compression between the nut 63 and the lower end of the packing assembly to hold the packing 88 in eiective sealing engage- Y ment with the ram 84.

The high pressure pump means I4 further includes a discharge valve 90. The valve 99 is arranged -in the opening 28 of the head 25 and has a pointed lower end for sealing downwardly against a seat on the upper end of the stationary ram 84. The upper portion of the valve 90 is socketed or tubular and the valve is provided with lateral ports 9| to provide for the free passage of lubricant upwardly through it when open. A spring 92 is arranged under compression between the upper end of the valve 90 and a tting Sla to urge the valve to its closed position. The iitting 9|a is threaded in the upper end of the opening 28 and a discharge hose 93 extends from the fitting. The hose 93 is provided at its outer end with a manually controlled nozzle or discharge valve 94 for discharging the lubricant into the bearings and machine parts. f

The intermediate pump means is located within the container C to receive the lubricant from the low pressure pump means which in turn is in direct communication with the lower portion a stationary element suspended from the carrier The cam 84 is suitably fixedrin a 64 and a reciprocable element carried by or operated by the piston 33 of the motor II. A carrier tube 95 is threaded in the lower end of the carrier 64 and extends downwardly in the container C to a point a short distance from its bottom. A cylinder block 96 is threaded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the carrier tube 95 and continues downwardly from the tube to have its lower end yimmediately adjacent the bottom of the container C. A cylinder bore or opening 91 enters the block 96 from its upper end and extends downwardly in the block. The lower end of the opening 91 is closed. The cylinder opening 91 has a lower portion of enlarged diameter which I will term a cylinder 98. The lower part 96a of the cylinder block 96 is reduced in external diameter and the lower corner portion of the block has spaced notches 99 of substantial size. One or more inlet ports are provided in the wall of the cylinder block 96 to communicate with the cylinder 98. In the preferred construction illustrated there are diametrically opposite ports |00 at the upper end of the reduced block portion 96a communicating with the upper portion of the cylinder 93 where the cylinder joins the opening 9i. The ports |00 are supplied with lubricant under pressure by the low pressure pump means I6, as will be later described.

The reciprocable element of the intermediate pump means I is a ram or plunger IBI connected with the motor piston 33 through the medium of the section 6| and the transfer tube 62 mentioned above. The section 6| is attached to the nut 63 of the piston 33 and passes downwardly through the opening 32 and socket 3| to carry the collar 1T and to connect with the tube 62, as above described. Packing |02 is provided in the socket 3| to seal about the section 6| and is actuated or compressed by a spring |93 engaged against the upper end of the nut 65. The transfer tube 62 is attached to the lower end of the section 6| to move with the section and the piston 33 and to communicate with the opening 85 of the section 6| The transfer tube 62 passes downwardly through the carrier tube 95 with con- A siderable clearance and the intermediateA pressure plunger I0| is fixed to the lower end of the transfer tube as by a threaded connection. The

plunger |0I is tubular and its longitudinal open- A ing |04 is in full communication with the transfer tube 62. The plunger IBI slidably ts or operates in the upper portion of the cylinder block opening 91, and is movable between a position where its lower end is above the ports |90, asy

shown in Fig, 4, and a position Where its lower end is adjacent the bottom wall of the cylinder 98. The plunger I0! is received in the cylinder 98 with controlled or limited clearance to permit the escape of excess lubricant out through the ports |0| during the down stroke. 98 preferably has a capacity greater than that of the high pressure cylinder 86 to make allowances for manufacturing tolerances while assuring the full charging of the high pressure cylinder.

@o The cylinder The intermediate pressure pump means l5 further includes a discharge valve |05 in the lower portion of the plunger |0I. The valve |05 acts as the inlet valve for the high pressure pump I4.

An internal seat |06V is formed in the plunger.

|0| and the'valve |05 has a pointed or bevelled lower portion for sealing downwardly against the seat |06. The upper portion cf the valve |05 is socketed and ported to allow for the free up-iiow of lubricant when in the open position. The

valve I 05 is normally urged to its closed position. A spring |01 is arranged under compression between the upper end of the valve |05 and the lower end of the transfer tube 62 to urge the valve closed. With the pump mechanism primed and in the operating condition there is a continuous column of lubricant occupying the communicating openings of the transfer tube 62, the section 6|, and the high pressure ram 84. The valve |05, in addition to serving as the inlet valve for the pump I4 and the discharge valve for the pump I5, serves to prevent a down flow or return movement of this column of lubricant. When the plunger |0| moves downwardly in the cylinder 98 to displace lubricant therefrom the valve |05 opens and a given or definite charge of the lubricant is displaced from the cylinder 98 into the plunger IOI. The parts are formed and proportioned so that the charging action of the intermediate pressure pump means I5 completely charges the high pressure cylinder 36 during each down stroke of the motor piston 33.

The low pressure pump means I6 is operable during each down stroke of the motor piston 33 to receive a charge of lubricant from the container C and operates during each upward stroke of the piston 33 to force this charge of lubricant under pressure through the ports |00 into the cylinder 98 of the intermediate pressure pump means I5. The low pressure pump means I6 includes a reciprocating or floating tube |08 surrounding the carrier tube with substantial clearance to leave an annular space. The floating tube |08 is sufiiciently long to extend from above the top of the container C to adjacent the lower end of the stationary cylinder block 96 when in its lowermost position. The upper portion of the floating tube |08 may freely telescope over the lower part of the carrier 64. In the construction illustrated the tube |08 comprises upper and lower sections connected by a thick walled threaded coupling |09. The sections of the tube |09 and the coupling |09 are uniform in external diameter. The tube |08 passes downwardly around the cylinder block 96 and is provided at its lower end with a valve cap or head ||0. The valve head |I0 is of the same external diameter as the tube |08 and slidably cooperates with the reduced lower part 96a of the cylinder block 96 to govern communication of the low pressure pump means with the container C. The interior of the head IIO is recessed from its upper end to have a socket |I| for cooperating or registering with the notches 99 when the tube |08 is in its lower position. When the tube |98 is in its lowermost position illustrated in Fig. 2 the socket I|| is in communication with the upper parts of the notches 99 to put the lower pressure pump means I6 in communication with the lubricant container C. When the tube |08 is in the upper position, shown in Fig. 4, the socket |I| is out of communication with the notches 99.

Sealing or packing means is provided for sealing between the cylinder block 95 and the travelling tube |08 at a point or zone above the ports |00. A flange ||2 is provided on'the exterior of the block 96 and packing I|3 bears upwardly against the flange ||2. A washer I|4 engages against the lower side of the body of packing ||3 and a spring ||5 engages upwardly against the washer ||4 to compress the packing ||3 and hold it operative. The lower end of the spring ||5 bears against a washer I6 resting again st a ring of the low pressure pump cylinder ||8. 'It will be observed that this cylinder ||8 has controlled or valved communication with the lubricant container C by reason of the cooperation of the head with the notched block portion 96a, and. has valved or controlled lubricant discharging communication with the intermediate pressure cylinder 98 by reason of the plunger |0| cooperating with the ported cylinder wall. The cylinder ||8 has a capacity considerably greater than that of the intermediate pressure cylinder 98 to assure the creation of suiiicient suction to effect inilow of lubricant charges of ample size to completely ll the cylinder 98 when the apparatus is handling heavy lubricants at low temperatures. A

The tube |08 of the low pressure pump means I6 has a yielding lost motion connection with the reciprocating elements of the high pressure and intermediate pressure pump means I4 and I5. This yielding connection provides for movement of the tube |08 in given timed relation with the elements of the pump means I4 and I5 for the forcible or positive delivery of lubricant under pressure from the cylinder |l8 to the cylinder 98 under all conditions of operation, without reducing or varying the length of stroke of the reciprocating elementsV ofv the pump means I4 and I5 and without stalling the motor The lost motion connection between the tube |08 and the reciprocating elements of the pump means I4 and I5 includes a collar or ring |I9 moving with clearance in the annular space between the transfer tube 62 and the carrier tube 95. Longitudinal slots |20 of limited length are provided in the carrier'tube 95 and screws 2| are threaded in openings in the ring ||9 and have their heads operating in the slots |20. The plain or unthreaded heads of the screws I2I engage in openings 9 in the coupling |09 for the transmission of movement to the tube |08. The screws I2I are engageable with the ends of the slots |20 to limit the stroke of the tube |08.

The spring means of the yielding lost motion connection includes a compression spring |22 engaged against the upper end of the ring I I9. The spring |22 is under compression at all times, being engaged between the ring ||9 and a collar |23 which in turn bears against a bead |24 on the stationary carrier tube 95. The spring |22 acts to move the floating tube |08 downwardly during the down stroke of the piston 33, as will be later described. Thespring controlled lost motion connection between the reciprocating elements of the pump means |4 and I5 and the floating tube |08 of the pump means I6 further includes a spring 25 for transmitting upward movement, of the tube |08. The spring |25 is supported on a collar |26 which is clamped between the upper end of the plunger |0| and a shoulder on the transfer tube 62. The upper end of the spring |25 opposes and is cooperable with the lower side of the ring I 9. The spring |25 is quite heavy, being considerably stronger than the spring |22, and is proportioned so that its upper end is spaced below and is entirely clear of the ring ||9 when the travelling or floating tube |08 is in its lowermost position.

Assuming that the motor piston 33 is starting from the lower end of its movement the socket is in communication with the notches 99 and the ring |I9 is spaced above the spring |25. is the piston 33 moves upwardly the space between the upper endof the spring |25 and the lower end of the ring ||9 is Iirst taken up,rthat is, the spring |25 moves upwardly to the ring out of communication with the notches 99. This traps a charge of lubricant in the cylinder I|8. The initial upward movement of the tube |08 just mentioned is accompanied by or produces compression ci the light spring |22 but does not compress the heavier s-pring because there is little resistance to upward travel of the tube |08 until all voids associated with the trapped lubricant in the cylinder ||8 have been taken up. With the ports or notches 99 closed and all voids removed from the charge of lubricant trapped in the cylinder I I8, further upward movement of the tube |08 temporarily stops and the tube |08 remains stationary until the plunger I0| clears or begins to clear the ports |00. In

. the meantime continued upward movement of the motor piston 33 results in compression of the spring |25 with the result that the lubricant in the cylinder |I8 is put under compression. The plunger I0| of the intermediate pressure pump means I5 is of course moving upwardly during the operations just described and'when the lower end of the plunger |0| reaches and begins to clear the ports |00 the lubricant under pressure in the low pressure cylinder ||8 is forced into the cylinder 98. It is to be understood that the low pressure lubricant is thus positively pumped or forced into the intermediate pressure cylinder 98.

The upward movement of the piston 33 continues until the plunger IUI clears the ports |00 or reaches the position shown in Fig. 4. Under most operating conditions the quantity of lubricant trapped in the chamber I|8 is so large that the nal upward movement of the tube |08, accompanying charging of the cylinder 98, is stopped by a complete filling of the cylinder 98 before the screws I2I reach the upper ends of the slots |20. The low pressure cylinder or chamber ||8 is considerably larger than the intermediate pressure cylinder 98 to assure a complete charging of the cylinder 98 even though voids may be present in the chamber I8 when handling heavy lubricants or lighter lubricants in cold weather.

During the charging of the intermediate pressure cylinder 98 by the operations just described the cylinder 86 is moving upwardly on the stationary ram 84 and lubricant is being displaced or pumped from the cylinder 85 through the ram 84 under a very high pressure. This lubricant passes through the hcse 93 and is discharged at the valved nozzle 94.

At the top of the up-stroke of the motor piston 33 the spring |22 is under substantial compression and the plunger |0| is at the top of or above the ports |00. The motor I| is reversed by the action of the shuttle means |3 and valve I2, as described above, and the piston 33 begins to descend. Downward movement of the piston 33 rst relieves the compress-ion on the spring |25 and then allows the weaker spring |22 to expand t so that the tube |08 is moved downwardly. The

downward movement of the tube |08 occurs concurrent with the downward movement of the piston 33, the movement of the tube being produced by expansion of the compressed spring |22.V As above described, the cylinder I |8 is of large capacity and downward movement of the tube |08 creates/'a substantial negative pressure o r Vacuum in the cylinder. The tube |08 moves down- A the vpressure cylinder wardly to the position where the socket I I I communicates with the notches 99 before the intermediate pressure plunger |I reaches the lower end of its stroke. By the time the socket III communicates with the notches 99 a substantial negative pressure is present in the chamber IIB.

When the socket III reaches the notches 99 this negative pressure serves to vsuck or draw a charge of lubricant into the chamber II8 from the container C.v An appreciable time elapses between the registering of the socket I I I with the notches 99 and the completion of the down stroke of the plunger IOI, and this period is utilized in drawing a charge of lubricant into the chamber IIB. Ample time is provided for the filling of the chamber II8 and a substantial vacuum is created so that the large diametered rather short chamber receives sufficient lubricant to completely ll the cylinder 98 during the succeeding up stroke of the motor piston 33 even when handling heavy lubricants and when handling lighter lubricants at low temperatures.

VDownward movement of the plunger IOI in the cylinder 98 simultaneously displaces the lubricant from the cylinder 98 up into the plunger opening |04. Any excess lubricant there may be in the cylinder 98 escapes through the controlled orlimited clearance around the plunger IOI and passes back through the ports |00 into II8. The upward displacement of lubricant from the cylinder 98 results in the delivery of a like charge of lubricant to the cylinder 8B of the high pressure pump means I4. When the pisto'n 33 has reached the lower end of its downward movement the long small diametered high pressure cylinder 85 is fully charged, and the low pressure cylinder |I8 is in full communication with the container C as illustrated in Fig. 2. The motor II is reversed at this time and the upward stroke is started.

The follower plate I1 is provided to assure the delivery of substantially the entire contents of the container C to the low pressure pump means I6 and to prevent the channeling of air around the tube |08 as the pumping operations progress. The follower plate I'| is a generally flat member shaped to substantially conform to the container C. The periphery of the follower plate Il may have suitable clearance with the wall of the container C and need not engage the container.Y In accordance with the invention the follower plate I1 rides or rests on the upper surface of the body of lubricant in the container C and travels down on the tube |08. Packing means is provided for sealing between the follower plate I'I and the tube |08. A packing gland |30 is provided on the follower plate I'I for slidably sealing with the tube |08 to prevent air from being drawn downwardly around the tube. One or more lifting handles I3I may be provided on the follower plate I'I to facilitate the installation and removal of the plate.

In employing the lubricant pumping apparatus of the invention the parts are assembled as illustrated to have the shell I9 engage about the container C and to have the tube |08 and the parts therein extend downwardly into the container. The follower plate I'I is associated with the tube |08 to rest upon the upper surface of the lubricant. It is to be understood that the container C may be the original barrel or drum in which the lubricant is marketed. The air hose 45 is connected with the valve means I2 by the coupling 46 and the hose 93 is connected with the pumping apparatus by the coupling 9|. Prior to the actual lubricant dispensing operation of the' equipment it may be necessary to prime or con-V dition the apparatus by opening the valved noz-I zle 44. When this is done the motor II is put into operation to actuate the high, intermediate and low pressure pump means I4, I5 and I6; This pumps out or clears any air there may be in the apparatus and primes the pump. So 10mg as the nozzle 94 remains closed the motor II is idle. When the nozzle 94 is opened the motor' II immediately goes into operation to operate the pump means I4, I5 and I5. The pump means I4, I5 and I6 operate as described above, the low pressure pump means I6 serving to positively deliver a full charge of lubricant under pressure to the intermediate pressure pump means I5, the means I5 operating to transfer a given charge of lubricant under increased pressure to the high pressure pump means I4, and the latter means operating to discharge the lubricant under a greatly increased pressure. It is to be particularly noted that the low pressure pump means I6 operates to force a full charge of lubricant to the intermediate pressure pump means I5 when handling heavy as Well as lighter lubricants. Thus, the low pressure pump means I 6 assures the full charging of the intermediate pump means under various operating conditions. The intermediate pressure pump means I5 and the high pressure pump means I4 are fully charged at each stroke. The apparatus may be operated continuously or intermittently as required until substantially the entire contents of the container C are exhausted. The pump mechanism may then be removed from the container for use on another container.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I'claim:

1. Lubricant pumping apparatus for` use with a lubricant container including two axially aligned pump means arranged one within the other, one forcing lubricant to the other under pressure and the latter delivering the lubricant under increased pressure, a motor operatively connected with one of the pump means to operate the same, and a resilient slack connection between the pump means whereby the pump means are both operated by the motory said con nection being adapted to allow substantial relative axial movement between the pump means.

2. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising low, intermediate and high pressure pump means for pumping the lubricant from the container and increasing the pressure on the lubricant by stages, the low pressure pump means being in direct lubricant receiving relation to the container, the intermediate pressure pump means directly receiving the lubricant from the low pressure pump ymeans and the high pressure pump means being above the lubricant level of the container, a transfer tube for conducting the lubricant from the intermediate pressure pump means to the high pressure means, and a motor at the exterior of the container for operating the several pump means. i

3. Lubricant pumping apparatus for Yuse with a lubricant container comprising low, intermediate f and high pressure pump means for pumping the lubricant from the container and increasing the pressure on the lubricant by stages, the low pressure pump means being in direct lubricant receiving relation to the lower portion of the container, the intermediate pressure pump means being in direct lubricant receiving relation to low pressure pump means and the high pressurev pump means above the lubricant4 level of the container, a column for extending into the container, a reciprocating part extending from the high pressure pump means downwardly through the column, two communicating low pressure pump means at the lower end of the column, one in lubricant receiving relation to the container, the other in lubricant delivering relation to the high pressure pump means, separate operative connections between said low pressure pump means and said part, one of said connections being yieldable, and means for operating the high pressure pump means and for operating said part to actuate said low pressure pump means.

5. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising high -pressure pump means above the lubricant level of the container, a column extending into the container, a reciprocating part extending through the column and operatively connected with the high pressure pump means, two low pressure pump means at the lower portion of the column forl pumping lubricant from the container to the high pressure pump means in stages, one of the last named pump means being positively connected with said part, springs for transmitting operating force from said part to the other of the last named pump means, and a single motor for operating the high pressure pump means and saidfpart.

6. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising high pressure pump means above the lubricant level of the container, a column extending downwardly in the container, an intermediate pressure pump means in the column for pumping lubricant to the high pressure pump means, a low pressure pump means for pumping lubricant from the container to the intermediate pressure pump means and including a reciprocable tube in surrounding relation to the column, a follower plate engaged against the lubricant in the container and movable downwardly on the tube, a reciprocating part extending downwardly in the tube and connected with the intermediate pressure pump means and said tube to `operate the same, and power means for operating the high pressure pump means and said part.

'7. In lubricant pumping apparatus of the character described a lubricant container, a first cylinder and piston pump means, a second cylinder and piston pump means surrounding and in coaxial relation to the rst mentioned pump means and located in the container for pumping the lubricant to the first pump meansV and having a shorter stroke and greater piston diameter than the rst pump means, a yielding operative connection between the two pump means whereby they may be operated in series by a single power means, and a power means for the two pump means.

- container, an

8. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising high pressure pump means above the lubricant level of the container, a column extending downwardly in the intermediate pressure pump means in the column for pumping lubricant to the high pressure pump means and including a cylinder on the column having an inlet port, a low pressure pump means comp-rising a reciprocating tube around the cylinder moved into lubricant receiving relation to the container during a portion of one stroke and forcing a charge of lubricant through said port during the other stroke, a reciprocating part extending through the co1- umn for operating the intermediate pressure pump means, a slack connection between the tube and said part, a spring engaged between the tube and said part to be compressed during said other stroke and to expand when the tube is in its first named stroke, and power means for reciprocating said part.

9. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising high pressure pump means above the lubricant level of the container, a column extending downwardly in the container, an intermediate pressure pump means in the column for pumping lubricant to the high pressure pump means and including a cylinder on the column having an inlet port, a low pressure pump means comprising a reciprocating tube around the cylinder moved into lubricant receiving relation to the container during a portion of one stroke and forcing a charge of lubricant through said port during the other stroke, a reciprocating part extending through the column yfor operating the intermediate pressure I pump means, a slack connection between the tube and said part, a yielding spring for transmitting movement from said part to the tube for said other strokes of the same, a spring compressed during said other stroke and expansible to move the tube through its rst named stroke, and power means for reciprocating said part.

10. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising high pressure pump means above the lubricant level of the container, a column extending downwardly in the container, an intermediate pressure pump means in the column for pumping lubricant to the high pressure pump means and including a cylinder on the column having an inlet port, a low pressure pump means comprising a reciprocating tube around the cylinder moved into lubricant receiving relation to the container during a portion of one stroke and forcing a charge of lubricant through said port during the other stroke, a reciprocatingpart extending through the column for operating the intermediate pressure pump means, a slack connection between the tube and said part, a yielding spring for transmitting movement from said part to the tube for said other strokes of the same, a spring engaged between the tube and column compressed during said other stroke and expansible to move the tube through its first named stroke, and power means for reciprocating said part.

11. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container including two cylinder and piston pump means located in thecontainer, one a priming pump means with a large piston diameter, the other pump means'having a smaller piston diameterand located within the first menpower means for operating the two pump means,

lubricant container, a low pressure pump located within` the container, a higher pressure pump within and receiving the lubricant from the rst named pump, said rst named pump having a larger piston area than the second named pump, a yielding reciprocative connection between the two pumps whereby they may be operated by a single power means, and a reciprocative power means for operating the two pumps.

13. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a supply of lubricant comprising a column, a high pressure pump means at one end of the column, a reciprocating part extending through the column and operatively connected` with the high pressure pump means, two low pressure pump means located at the other end portion of the column with one of the low pressure pump-means in lubricant receiving relationto said supply, the low pressure pump means being operable to pump the lubricant from said supply to the high pressure pump means in stages, one of the low pressure pump means being positively connected with said part to be operated thereby, spring means for transmitting operating force from said part to the other of said low pressure pump means, and a power means for operating the high pressure pumpv means and for reciprocating said part.

14. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising a plurality of axially aligned pump means arranged within the container and one within the other for increasing the pressure on the lubricant by progressive stages, a reciprocating operating means operatively connected with a pump means, and reciprocating operative connections between the plurality of pump means whereby they may be operated by the single power means, one of said connections being a resilient lost motion connection allowing substantial relative longitudinal movement between the pump means which it connects.

15. In a lubricant pumping apparatus of the character described, a high pressure pump means, a low pressure pump means surrounding and in.

coaxial relation with the rst named pump means,

for pumping lubricant under pressure to said first named pump means, an operating motor operating said first named pump means, and a lost motion connection between the two pump means whereby the second named pump means is operated by the motor through the medium of said rst named pump means, said connection including a yielding force transmitting spring.

16. In a lubricant. pumping apparatus, a lubricant container, a pump means arranged in the container, a pump. means surrounding and in coaxial relation with the first named pump means` for pumping lubricant under pressure to the first named pump means, reciprocative operating means for said iirst named pump means, and ayielding spring connection between the two pump means whereby the second named pump means is actuated by the operating means.

17. Lubricant pumping apparatus for use with a lubricant container comprising pump means 1ocated in the container and one within the other and connected in communicating series for increasing the pressure on the lubricant by progressive stages, one of siad pump means being a low pressure pump means having a larger piston area than the other pump means, operative connections between the pump means whereby the several pump means may be operated by a single power means, the operative connection of said one pump means with the other pump means being` a yielding slack connection, and a single motor for operating the several pump means.

NEIL V. SMITH. 

